Manually operated elastic exerciser with protective shell



A ril 4, 1967 i J. v-. MELCHIONA 3,312,466. I

MANUALLY OPERATED ELASTIC EXERCISER WITH PROTECTIVE SHELL Filed Jan. 24, 1964 INVENTOR.

' I ames l/Me/c/ziana I iinite rates atent Chico 3,312,466 MANUALLY OPERATED ELASTIC EXERCISER WITH PROTECTIVE SHELL James V. Melchiona, 6724 Menz Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio 45238 Filed Jan. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 340,080 2 Claims. (Cl. 27282) The present invention relates to a unit composed of a combination of elements, the unit to function as a means of resistance between handles for exercise.

It is the object of this invention to provide an exerciser that can be pulled towards the face without the danger of an elastic resistance means breaking and striking the user in the eye. This is a constant danger in the use of elastic type exercisers, records of which show they 'have injured eyes and caused various other injuries.

I propose to show. an exerciser that consists of an elastic element connected at its distal ends by handles, or connected at its opposite ends by nonelastic means which are in turn connected to handles, the elastic means giving resistance as the handles are pulled in opposite directions, and a shield encasing the elastic section so that if the elastic breaks or loosens, it will strike the in terior of the shield to spend itself of its recoil force. The elastic means can be rubber or plastic strips, a spring,

etc.

The shield must contain the elastic section for its entire length. It must connect to the nonelastic parts at the extreme opposite ends of the elastic means so no matter at which place along the length of the elastic it may break, the broken ends will strike the interior wall of the shield to spend its force.

I prefer also to include a nonelastic stop, longer than the elastic section and attached at the same location as the ends of the elastic means, so the elastic can only stretch a predetermined distance. This stop is optional and not necessary for the function of the shield.

This protective shield is not to be mistaken as commonly used covers of springs or bands that are not intended for and would not resist the snapping end of the elastic means if it were to break or loosen. It must be capable of functioning in the manner described.

This construction makes an exerciser that has comparatively a short elastic section as most exercisers, and it is to 'be used for what is known as short-range movement exercises, and an exerciser that can be held and one handle pulled toward the face simulating the pull of an archers bow to develop those muscles used by archers, and to be pulled without 'fear of the elastic section breaking or becoming loose and its recoil action striking the eyes or face with one of its jagged edges.

The invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts shown in the drawings which are merely illustrations of the preferred embodiment and capable of modification.

Referring to the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my exerciser.

FIG. 2 is a fragmental, elevational view; partially in section; showing the shield to be used with the exerciser illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exerciser with the shield in place.

FIG. 1 is a view of the exerciser showing two handles 1 and 2 connected to nonelastic topes 3 and 4 and conneoted at 6 and 7 to an elastic band 5. The handles 1 and 2 are pulled opposite each other to stretch the resistance means 5.

FIG. 2 is a view of the shield to be used to enclose the elastic means 5 of FIG. 1. The walls 9 form a tubular shape that tapers at its ends to form holes 8 and 10 large enough to fit around the ropes 3 and 4 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of an exerciser with the shield in place to function as described. The ropes 3 and 4 are attached to the handles 1 and 2 at one end and to the band 5 at their other ends. The ends 8 and 10 of the shield 9 fit around the ropes 3 and 4 loosely or fastened immovably to the ropes, as preferred.

The construction and function of the unit should be clear as described and illustrated.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope and definitions of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. In combination:- a pair of handles, a connecting element comprised of a central resilient means and a cord extending respectively from each end of said resilient means, each cord connected at its outer end to a respective handle, a tubular shield means enclosing said resilient means for stopping and containing any of the resilient 'means that may disengage or break as the handles are pulled in opposite directions for exercise.

2. In combination: a pair of handles, a connecting element comprised of a central resilient means connected at opposite ends to the handles, a tubular shield means enclosing said resilient means for stopping and containing any of the resilient means that may disengage or break as the handles are pulled in opposite directions for exercise.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,023,756 3/1912 Pons 27279 1,538,845 5/1925 Titus 27282 1,749,544 3/1930 Pagano 27282.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner, 

2. IN COMBINATION: A PAIR OF HANDLES, A CONNECTING ELEMENT COMPRISED OF A CENTRAL RESILIENT MEANS CONNECTED AT OPPOSITE ENDS TO THE HANDLES, A TUBULAR SHIELD MEANS ENCLOSING SAID RESILIENT MEANS FOR STOPPING AND CONTAINING ANY OF THE RESILIENT MEANS THAT MAY DISENGAGE OR BREAK AS THE HANDLES ARE PULLED IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS FOR EXERCISE. 